What is Gilmore's Groin?

Gilmore's groin is often referred to as a sports hernia, groin disruption, athletic pubalgia or a hockey hernia, it is a common groin injury experienced by athletes. It was first recognized as “Gilmore's groin” in 1980, following the groin repair treatment of some professional soccer players who were unable to participate in their sport for a few months because of an undiagnosed groin injury. Jerry Gilmore developed a surgical repair technique for this condition. Generally Gilmore's groin (sports hernia or athletic pubalgia) is located more laterally (on the side) and proximally (nearest to the midline and point of attachment) and a groin disruption includes more of a range of abnormalities. However, they are very similar conditions and difficult to differentiate, therefore they tend to be treated in the same way. For our purpose we will look at these injuries as one condition.

Gilmore's groin involves severe musculotendinous injuries (relate to muscles and tendons) that result in chronic groin pain and a dilated superficial inguinal ring. Generally a tear in one of your lower abdominal muscles (oblique muscles, rectus abdominus muscle) near the back wall of your inguinal canal (narrow passage through your abdominal wall in the lower region on either side of your pubic area), or in your connective tissues (conjoined tendon, inguinal ligament, transversalis fascia, or aponeurosis) where your muscles meet the bones and other tissues of your pelvis and/or pubic bone will be present. Gilmore's groin results in a “hidden” hernia that has no visible bumps or lumps but causes pain in your lower abdomen and groin (especially when twisting or turning while running at a high speed). Often you will experience a torn adductor muscle along with this injury.

Note: An inguinal hernia involves a tear in a body tissue (normally a muscle) that shows a visible bulge or bump in your lower abdomen. Gilmore's groin has no obvious hernia (bump or bulge).

A Black Body Radiant Energy Kit is one of the most helpful tools for a wide varity of painful groin related injuries. Through the absorption of radiant energy, tissues are safely and gently heated - increasing blood flow within the treated area. Your body’s natural response to this increased temperature is to try to maintain a condition of homeostasis — a balanced environment or state of equilibrium throughout the body. To do this, your body responds with a rapid increase in blood flow to the area (this is known as vasodilation), increasing the supply of nutrients to injured cells and flushing out toxins (including lactic acid, commonly found in trigger points) to promote healing. Our Thermotex Platinum Pain Relief Device provides effective, non-invasive, non-addictive pain relief with no side effects.

Our Cold Compression Wraps are recommended as the top wrap by Leading Health Institutes like, Cleveland Clinic, several professional sports organizations, and countless medical professionals. That's why we sell them, because they are the best. We have noticed over time that our customers are so fond of our cold wraps that they are frequently coming back and ordering a second one - this way they can heat or cool one while wearing the other. The wraps are becoming very popular with baseball and soccer trainers, and the wraps can be conveniently stored in a cooler for quick application on the field when needed.

Ultrasound therapy is also a helpful tool for pain prevention of groin injuries, and having a portable ultrasound device at home can be a powerful and convenient treatment tool. If you have symptoms or are recovering from a groin injury, using ultrasound on a regular basis before your activity or throughout the day will help relax your muscles, tendons and tissues, diminish pain and inflammation, soften scar tissue and contribute greatly to the healing of your injury.

If you suffer from pain after certain activities or movements use ultrasound therapy when you complete the activity and then rest. Limit the application of ultrasound to a couple of treatments per day (the manual will recommend treatment frequency depending upon the injury). In between ultrasound treatments, maximize your pain relief and injury recovery by using the Thermotex Personal Therapy System. When you're on the go, and not near an electrical outlet, take advantage of the "were anywhere" concept of our hot/cold wraps - the highest rated wraps in the industry. Proven Performance, Proven Relief - only found at MendMeShop.com. If you have been given a treatment plan by your health professional, make sure you adhere to it to ensure pain free living. In general, people who are committed to their therapies and exercises will have the best medical outcomes.